Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must do so under one of the following conditions:
a) Disabled Veterans who have served on active duty in any branch of the Armed Forces and
who presently have an existing service-connected disability which is compensable under public
laws administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or are receiving compensation,
disability retirement benefits, or pension by reason of public laws administered by the DVA and
the Department of Defense.
b) The spouse of a Veteran:
1. Who has a total and permanent service-connected disability and who, because of this disability
cannot qualify for employment; or
2. Who is missing in action, captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or detained or interned
in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
c) A Veteran of any war, who has served at least one day during that war time or who has been
awarded a campaign or expeditionary medal such as the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal.
| World War II | December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 |
| Korean Conflict | June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 |
| Vietnam Era | February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 |
| Persian Gulf War | August 2, 1990 to January 2, 1992 |
| Operation Enduring Freedom | October 7, 2001 to ongoing |
| Operation Iraqi Freedom | March 19, 2003 to August 31, 2010 |
| Operation New Dawn | September 1, 2010 to ongoing |
d) The unremarried widow or widower of a Veteran who died of a service-connected disability.
e) The mother, father, legal guardian, or unremarried widow or widower of a service member who died as a result of military service under
combat-related conditions as verified by the United States Department of Defense.
f) A veteran who served in the active military, naval or air service (in a non-wartime era)
g) A current member of any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or The Florida National Guard.
| Item | Required Documentation |
|---|---|
| a) | • Department of Defense document, commonly known as form DD-214, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs, listing military status, dates of service and Character of Discharge indicating an Honorable Discharge • A document from the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Department certifying that the Veteran has a service-connected disability |
| b1) | • DD-214 • Either a certification from the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs that the Veteran is totally and permanently disabled or an identification card issued by the Department • Evidence of marriage to the Veteran • Statement that the spouse is still married to the Veteran at the time of the application for employment • Proof that the disabled Veteran cannot qualify for employment because of the service-connected disability |
| b2) | • A document from the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying that the spouse on active duty is listed as missing in action, captured in line of duty, or forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power • Evidence of marriage • A statement that the spouse is married to the person on active duty at the time of that application for employment. |
| c) | • DD-214 indicating a qualifying "Wartime Era" |
| d) | • FDVA form VP-3 “Certification of Unremarried Widow or Widower” • A document from the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying the service-connected death of the veteran • Evidence of marriage, such as a marriage certificate |
| e) | • A document from the Department of Defense showing the death of service member while on duty status under combat-related conditions or the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying the service-connected death of the Veteran • Evidence of marriage or proper court documents establishing the legal authority for the Guardian or evidence of familial relationship • FDVA form VP-3 “Certification of Unremarried Widow or Widower” |
| f) | • DD-214 |
| g) | • FDVA form VP-2 “Certification of Current Member of Reserve of the United States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard” |
For assistance with Florida Veterans’ Preference law in employment relating to the application process
including how to attach required documents, contact Kurt Wilkening at 813-274-6764. If you qualify for
a position and have not received any information on a hiring decision within 45 days of the recruitment
closing date, or interview date, whichever is later in time, then you are encouraged to contact the hiring
agency directly.
Applicants that meet the minimum job requirements and qualify for Veterans’ Preference who believe they
have not been afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law, may file a written
complaint requesting an investigation with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits
and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Blvd, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708. The complaint must be filed
within 60 calendar days from the date the applicant receives notice that s/he was not selected. Prior to filing
a complaint, however, it is the responsibility of the preference-eligible applicant to contact the employer
at least one time after 45 days have passed from the final date for submitting an application or the interview
date, whichever is later in time, if the applicant has not received notice of a hiring decision.
To file a complaint, please contact:
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K
Largo, Florida 33778-1630
727-518-3202, Ext. 5511
[email protected]
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 12/07/18)
For more information please see 55A-7 : VETERANS’ PREFERENCE IN APPOINTMENT and
55A-7.016 : Enforcement of Preference – Florida Administrative Code.